Continuous blood purification in children with severe sepsis

This study aims to analyse the clinical effects of continuous blood purification (CBP) in children with severe sepsis to form a basis for CBP application in this context. One hundred and twenty children with severe sepsis treated in Binzhou People’s Hospital, Shandong, China, from June 2013 to June 2014 were divided into two groups, a treatment and a control group, depending on parental preference. The control group was treated conventionally, and the treatment group underwent CBP in addition to conventional therapy. Cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were measured on admission and after 72 h. This study also assayed interleukin (IL)-8 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels, and monitored clinical outcomes and prognosis. The cardiovascular and respiratory parameters of the treatment group improved to a significantly greater extent than did those of the control group (all P less than 0.05). After treatment, the levels of IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α declined in both groups, but more so in the treatment group (all P<0.05). The white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level fell more in the treatment than control group, with statistical significance (both P less than 0.05). CBP remarkably improved the cardiovascular and respiratory functions of children with severe sepsis, probably by eliminating factors mediating inflammation.